History of Zonta International |
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| In Buffalo, New York, USA in January 1919, five women attending as guests at a social meeting of Kiwanis, an established all-male service club, conceived the formation of a new service club. This new club would be composed of women who were recognised leaders in their businesses and professions. The primary purposes of the club would be to standardise and disseminate business principles and practices and to provide service to humanity through cooperative efforts . | |
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During 1919, clubs were organised in Buffalo, Rochester, Binghamton, Elmira, and Syracuse, New York. Under the leadership of its Charter President, Marian de Forest, a playwright and newspaper critic, the Buffalo club established specific guidelines for membership and classification. April of 1920 saw the first executive session of the Confederation's officers convene in Rochester, New York. Among the considerable business conducted, the Zonta colours-- mahogany and gold--were chosen, and the Zonta emblem was officially authorised. |
The Confederation was incorporated under the laws of N.Y. State in February 1922. In 1927 Toronto became the first club in Canada, and Zonta became international. In 1931, Zonta was introduced to Europe when clubs in Vienna, Austria and Hamburg, Germany were organised. For the next decade, growth continued steadily in Europe and Scandinavia. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Zonta established itself in Latin America and Asia. By 1970, Zonta became truly worldwide when six African nations joined the organisation. The last frontier was crossed in early 1991 when Szombathely, Hungary became the first Eastern European Zonta country. For more information on Zonta International, please visit the ZI website: http://www.zonta.org |
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